Travelsmartplanet

Many of us enjoy a light read to while away a lazy summer afternoon. At the Hudson Village Theatre, you don’t even have to read to have fun – you can just listen and watch as four women meet, mingle and moan – and become a family of friends.

The director, Ellen David, takes this (Jessie) Jones (Nicholas) Hope (Jamie) Wooten delightful script and gently guides the dynamic quattro of actors as they learn “what is holding you back from one’s past and self-imposed limitations towards a compelling future”.  This could be any one of us.

The performers David chose are as well cast and strong as the four sides of a square. Randa Covington (Jane Wheeler) has defined herself by her work, and doesn’t know how to re-define herself beyond that. She tries to hold on to her safe proper business countenance, but is weighed down by feeling second best in her family. Marlafaye (Lisa Bronwyn Moore) gets the classic “dumped for a younger woman” part, so feelings of anger and rejection are keeping her from moving forward. “I swear the older you get the harder it is to jump start a new life”, she says.

Dot (Kathleen Fee), the oldest of the bunch, has just lost her husband, the only man she has known, and with whom she had planned to retire. She has no idea how to figure out what comes next. Her subtle acting is deliciously wonderful as she delivers many funny zinger lines. Paula Costain as Jinx moves and talks with the right zippy attitude to convince them, as their new “life coach”, to go (as David says)” beyond their comfort zone to a brave new world where they eventually find themselves”. Jinx reminds us that her older sister (now incapacitated with dementia) taught her that “it’s the happy in life that counts”.

The set by Jean-Claude Olivier is a comfortable porch, so the women have an informal place to gently and liquidly reveal their sagas. As this is a “Sipping Society”, drinking props (by Lea Robertson) were a fun challenge due to the many iterations of serving different kinds of alcohol. Marlafaye once toasted, “Girls, here’s to living single and drinking doubles”.

There were more costume changes than you would expect (by Elisabeth De Medeiros), creating a fashion show which helped define the scenes and the forward movement of their lives.

Jamie Wooten, one of the playwrights, was a writer for The Golden Girls, so the quality of their patter and the giggly one-liners is in the same genre of that hysterical show.  When Marlafaye sees Randa’s house for the first time she opines, “Yeah, sure is a pretty place. Everything’s so neat and clean. I’m not like that. Instead of cleaning my house, I just turn off the lights”.  When Randa comments on drinking mead, “This really isn’t so horrible”, Marlafaye responds, “The very words I said on my wedding night”.  Marlafaye also says,  “Sex is like a brownie – when it’s good it’s really good. And when it’s bad….it’s still pretty good!”.

Andrea Romaldi, the artistic director writes, “friendships are our lifelines and support structures. Good friends cheer us, challenge us, bewilder us and irritate us, but ultimately they support and help us grow into our best selves”. Head out to Hudson and lift a glass to friendship.

Location: 28 Rue Wharf, Hudson, QC J0P 1H0
Phone: 450- 458-5361
Dates: til July 22
https://villagetheatre.ca/

Join Savannah Scavenger Hunt author, Chris Sergi, to discover the wonders of the nation’s largest National Historic Landmark District.

Sergi pulls together little-known facts, visual treats, and enticing tidbits of history in this scavenger hunt designed for all ages to enjoy.

From underground tunnels used by pirates for treasure transport to mausoleums and stained glass windows, the city abounds with secrets and trivia for all to discover.

Great family fun. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For Tickets: Add to cart

Location: Savannah Tour of Homes & Gardens, 123 East Broughton St, Savannah 31401
Date: Sat, Mar 24, 2018
Time: 12:30 – 2pm
Tel: 912- 234-8054
savannahtourofhomes.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitsavannah.com

Every winter, throughout the months of January and February, the Jekyll Island Authority hosts a beach treasure hunt known as Island Treasures.

The origin of the event dates back to the early 1900s, when fishermen used glass floats as markers on their nets. Occasionally, the floats would break loose and wash ashore for lucky beachcombers to find and keep. Collecting the rare, highly sought-after glass floats became a hobby in the 1950s.

On Jekyll Island, the tradition continues with the annual Island Treasures event. Artists from across the country are selected to create one-of-a-kind glass floats. Colorful hand-crafted glass floats or globes, similar to the ones once used on fishing nets, are created by glass artisans from across the country.  New for this year, treasure hunters will now hunt for clear, plastic globes that can be exchanged for a handmade glass float at the Jekyll Island Guest Information Center.

Island Treasures are hidden daily, always  in plain view and public spaces. The treasures will never be placed in the dunes, marshes, animal habitats or private property. And, each weekend, double the number of globes hidden around the island.

Inside each plastic globe,  lucky treasure hunters will find a card with instructions to take the globe to the Jekyll Island Guest Information Center. Each card will have a number that corresponds to a real, handcrafted Island Treasure. Hunters will be limited to one glass float per household per year, increasing everyone’s chance to find a glass float. Hunters will also receive a certificate of authenticity and artist biography for their one-of-a-kind float. The Guest Information Center will be open daily, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

This Island Treasures event is FREE and lots of fun for all ages and as a bonus you get to explore this beautiful island.

Location: Jekyll Island Guest Information Center, 901 Downing Musgrove Causeway
Jekyll Island, GA 31527
Date: until Feb 28, 2018
Time: Open daily, 9 -6pm
Tel: 912- 635-3636 or 1-877-4-Jekyll
jekyllisland.com/signatureevents/island-treasures
For Regional accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: jekyllisland.com, goldenisles.com

Located in the rural heart of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the family-owned  Crow Vineyard & Winery will be holding their 3rd annual CrowFest. It celebrates the bounty of the Eastern Shore and the beginning of the harvesting of their grapes on Sunday, September 10, 2017 from 11 – 5PM.

Spend the day enjoying the award winning Crow wines and the talents of additional Eastern Shore vendors.  The event includes wine tastings, live music provided by Phil Dutton and the Alligators, food samplings, local vendors, cooking demonstrations, seminars, grape stomping (who wouldn’t love to stomp on grapes), hayrides through the vineyards and  numerous children’s activities.

Local vendors will include: Painted Sky Alpaca Farm, Barrel Smith Designs, Beachin’ Glass, Melting Down Creations, Chainsaw Carving by Josh, and local food offerings from Haass’ Family Butcher Food Truck, Kilby Ice Cream MooTruck, Orchard Point Oyster Co., Chester River Aronia, Nolia Chocolates, Oksana’s Produce Farm, Red Acres Lettuce, and Lockbriar Farms.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.

Location: Crow Vineyard & Winery, 12441 Vansant Corner Rd, Kennedyville 21645
Date: Sun, Sept 10, 2017
Time: 11 – 5pm
Tel: 302-304-0551
crowvineyardandwinery.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: kentcounty.com

The best fiesta of the summer is taking place at the inaugural Connecticut Taco Festival, celebrating the tacos and taco-lovers alike.

Your taste-buds will go crazy for the amazing variety of taco assortments from restaurants and food trucks around Connecticut. Tacos go hand-in-hand with a drink selection including frozen margaritas, tequila and Mexican beer.

While tacos lovers savor the eats, they can expect to be entertained by Lucha Libre Wrestling featuring Rey Mysterio and Jerry Lawler, Taco-Eating Contests, Live Music and Performances, including a Mariachi Band, Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Yale and local music. Kids activities include face painting, piñatas, and more. A fiesta in your mouth and loads of fun entertainment for the whole family.

Admission tickets include: free tacos, two voting tickets for your favorite tacos, access to the bar with Drink Specials (drinks are not included), entry to live music, performances and wrestling, Taco-Eating Contests, Shopping, Tasting Vendors & Kids Activities, t-shirt and free giveaways, including a shot glass.

Location: Danbury Ice Arena, 1 Independence Way, Danbury, CT 06810
Date: Sat, Aug 26, 2017
Time: 10 AM – 8 PM
Tel: 203-794-1704
cttacofestival.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitfairfieldcountyct.com

In the magnificent Queen’s Lantern, the glass open space at the top of the Museum of Nature, what looks like a giant jellyfish is hanging. You can see it from afar outside the museum, and inside as you navigate between floors. The windows with stone dividers provides a beautiful view both of the outdoors and inside the museum.